Trina Burruss, President and CEO of United Way of Buffalo & Erie County, is a dynamic community leader committed to excellence through collaboration and a true Buffalo booster. 

Under Trina’s leadership, United Way brings people, organizations and resources together to create systemic community change – breaking a cycle of hardship that affects 40% of Erie County families. Most recently, Trina led United Way in launching the Community Resilience Fund as an ongoing vehicle for strengthening the community and building lasting financial security in the face of emerging needs and disruptive events. 

Throughout her career, Trina has been heavily involved in the Buffalo community in a variety of volunteer leadership roles. Trina currently serves as a member of the United Way Worldwide Disaster Resiliency Committee and United Way of New York State Board of Directors. She is also Vice President of the First Shiloh Housing Corp, a member of the Board of Directors for Say Yes, Buffalo-Niagara Partnership, and the Bank on Buffalo Advisory Council, and is co-chair of Live Well Erie. Trina has also served on the Steering Committee for the Buffalo Together Community Response Fund and is a member of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc Buffalo Alumnae Chapter. Trina is also an Adjunct Professor at Daemen University. 

For her work, Trina has received numerous awards and accolades, including a Business First 2022 C-Level Executives Award, recognition as part of the Business First Power 250, Power 100 Business Leaders of Color and one of Buffalo’s Most Powerful Women, Daemen University Distinguished Alumni Award, Black Achiever Award, Community Service Banker, and Diversity Award. Trina received her bachelor’s degree in business administration from Medaille College and her master’s degree in executive leadership and change from Daemen College.